The clamshell configuration can be made of brick or fiber, can contain routered elements or elements in quartz tubes, or even have no visible elements at all. It differs from a top loader in that the sides lift with the lid, allowing the bottom to be exposed and easily loaded with projects.

Clamshell kilns are almost exclusively glass kilns. They are round, square or rectangularly shaped and hinged in the back. These kilns are the perfect solution for complicated projects that require multiple firings with additions of frit, enamels, or paints.

Clamshell kilns are great for open-faced castings, dry plaster castings, fusing and slumping projects. These kilns are easy loading, and great on the back!